Cleaning system by means of artificial mist

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a system, and the method of application thereof, for washing and decontamination comprising nebulizing means (8) of a mixture of at least one first gas and at least one first liquid, and pressurizing means (1) of said first gas, wherein said pressurizing means (1) are in fluid communication with a first pressure-regulating valve (3) and with a second pressure-regulating valve (4),the first pressure-regulating valve (3) being in fluid communication with a first pressurized tank (5) through first inlet means (31) of said first gas, the first pressurized tank (5) being configured to contain the first liquid, and comprising first outlet means (30) of said first liquid to the nebulizing means (8) through a first valve (6), at a first pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure,and wherein the second pressure-regulating valve (4) is in fluid communication with said nebulizing means (8), and is configured to pressurize the gas at a second pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention falls within the field of cleaning anddecontaminating air, or other gases or gas mixtures, of contaminantssuch as chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear pollutants. It canalso be applied to the decontamination of surfaces or other objects.

STATE OF THE ART

Contamination consisting of small particles that float in the atmosphereis highly detrimental to the health of the population. In particular,the presence of particles having a diameter of less than 10 microns isstrongly related with respiratory diseases. Heating systems and dieselengines produce particles of this size; (see, for example, MichaelAllaby, “Fog, smog and Poisoned Rain”, Facts on File Inc., New York,2003). Pollen and other allergens are also classified within this range.Furthermore, the increased use of nanoparticles is a cause for concernsince there is no effective solution for the filtration or eliminationthereof.

It is known that natural mechanisms for removing particles from theatmosphere are dry deposition or sedimentation and sweeping. The firstof these is caused by gravity simply by driving solid particles towardsthe ground while the last mechanism occurs when the particles act ascondensation nuclei that generate water droplets, which eventually alsofall to the ground. These raindrops wash other particles and droplets asthey fall.

However, these natural mechanisms that depend on very particular weatherconditions are often too slow for solving the daily problem in moderncities given the high rate of particle production. Thus, there is a needin the state of the art to look for systems for cleaning anddecontaminating air or surfaces.

Patent application EP17382293.3 filed on 22 May 2017, describes a methodfor cleaning and decontaminating the air based on spraying mist withdevices such as those described in application EP17382233.9 dated 28Apr. 2017. Said device produces a jet of mist from the supply of aliquid, preferably water or an aqueous solution, and air, both aboveatmospheric pressure. Additionally, it has an inlet of a thirdcomponent, preferably liquid, also under pressure, for the simultaneousdispersion thereof in order to favor the solubility and/or thedecomposition of the pollutants. Non-exclusive examples of the thirdcomponent are hydrogen peroxide for biological disinfection ornano-structured TiO₂ microparticles for catalysis and/or adsorption ofchemical agents. The advantage of the use of mists made up ofmicrometric-sized droplets as described in EP17382293.3 comes from thegreater efficiency of these droplets in capturing polluting particleswith respect to other sized droplets when falling due to gravity, inaddition to the fact that both the amount of liquid used and the amountof waste generated, are minimized.

Although this system provides satisfactory results, it is stillnecessary to provide alternative or improved cleaning anddecontaminating systems, making a more efficient use of resources.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the Venturi effect.

FIG. 2 describes a system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 describes a system according to the present invention accordingto one of the embodiments thereof including gas accumulating means (2)for the first gas.

FIG. 4 describes a system according to the present invention accordingto one of the embodiments thereof including the use of a second liquid.

FIG. 5 describes a system according to the present invention accordingto one of the embodiments thereof including several optional systems.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the first pressurized tank (5) according toone of the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the nozzle inserted in a ductthus enhancing the Venturi effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the inventor of the present application is working on thedecontamination of air and other gases by means of the use ofnebulizers. To this end, mist is created by means of mixtures of liquidsand gases that are expelled at high pressures, thus creating mist withapproximately micrometric sized droplets. In the search for more andmore efficient systems, the researcher has found that it is not onlyimportant to provide adequate-sized droplets, and therefore a totalpressure at which the appropriate mixture is expelled, but it is alsoessential that the relative pressure between the gaseous and liquidcomponents be maintained stable during the operation time of the system.The researcher has discovered that small variations in the relativepressures of the different components can significantly affect that sizedistribution and the amount of droplets generated, and alsofundamentally, the speed of the jet, which produces changes in theefficiency of cleaning and decontaminating. The researcher hasdiscovered that maintaining stability in the pressures and, even moreso, stability in the relationship between the pressures of the liquidand gaseous components is essential.

Thus, a first aspect of the invention (see FIG. 2 ) is a washing anddecontaminating system comprising nebulizing means (8) of a mixture ofat least one first gas and at least one first liquid, and pressurizingmeans (1) of said first gas, wherein said pressurizing means (1) are influid communication with a first pressure-regulating valve (3) and witha second pressure-regulating valve (4),

the first pressure-regulating valve (3) being in fluid communicationwith a first pressurized tank (5) through first inlet means (31) of saidfirst gas, the first pressurized tank (5) being configured to containthe first liquid, and comprising first outlet means (30) of said firstliquid to the nebulizing means (8) through a first valve (6), at a firstpressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure,

and wherein the second pressure-regulating valve (4) is in fluidcommunication with said nebulizing means (8), and is configured topressurize the gas at a second pressure that is greater than atmosphericpressure.

In this way, the same gas (or mixture of gases), preferably air, serveson the one hand to directly feed the nebulizing means (8), and at thesame time, the first liquid (or other liquids), the pressure beingcontrolled independently in each case.

A second aspect of the invention is therefore a method for washing anddecontaminating which comprises pressurizing a first gas by means ofpressurizing means (1), which are in fluid communication with a firstpressure-regulating valve (3) and with a second pressure-regulatingvalve (4), such that

the first pressure-regulating valve (3) regulates the pressure of thefirst gas in a first pressurized tank (5) configured to contain a firstliquid and comprising first outlet means (30) and first inlet means(31), such that said first liquid is in turn in fluid communication withnebulizing means (8) through a first valve (6), the first liquid beingat a first pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure,

and wherein the second pressure-regulating valve (4) regulates thepressure at which the first gas is fed to said nebulizing means (8),said first gas being at a second pressure that is greater thanatmospheric pressure.

In this way, the regulation of the first pressure and the secondpressure can be carried out independently by the firstpressure-regulating valve (3) and by the second pressure-regulatingvalve (4), respectively. The pressure at which the first liquid and thefirst gas are fed to the nebulizing means (8) can be controlledprecisely and independently, and they remain constant during theoperation of the system.

The system and the method of the invention enable the efficiency of thedecontamination to be improved by keeping the relative pressure of thecomponents of the mixture propelled by the nozzle constant, since theuse of the first pressure-regulating valve (3) and the secondpressure-regulating valve (4) enables the adjustment of differentpressures for each component of the nebulizer mixture.

Without serving as a limitation to the invention, the authors believethat propelling mist under pressure through a nozzle produces abeneficial effect that multiplies the effectiveness of the micrometricdroplets in their function of cleaning through collision and entrapmentof polluting particles by forming a cone that interacts with thesurrounding air, suctioning it through the effect of speed (also calledthe Venturi effect) while at the same time producing a high velocitygradient at the edges and thus facilitating the collision of mistdroplets with the particles that are cleaned from the air. The authorsbelieve that the jet also generates turbulences and fluid dynamicinstabilities such as Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. Both effects of thejet edge increase the effective cross-section of the liquid droplets intheir collision action, as well as the collision rate, making thecleaning action of the jet edge even greater than that of mistdeposition due to gravity. Thus, the importance of keeping the relativepressure of the various components of the mixture stable has beensurprising, especially when compared to a system that uses pumps to feedsome of the components of the mixture. Therefore, the system of theinvention also reduces the number of mechanic or propulsion elements toone or a plurality of gas compressors, without the need for pumps.

The system of the invention enables the stability of the supply of thegases and liquids used for generating the mist. In addition, it allowsdifferent pressures for each component to be independently selected,thus being able to adapt the size of the droplets in the mist and thequantity thereof. This provides the system of the invention withenormous flexibility for adapting the characteristics of the generatedmist to different pollutants and situations. It also allows the storageof liquids or components for generating mist such that it is easier tocontrol or prevent the spread of Legionelosis or other microorganisms.Another advantage of the invention is that it enables a portableassembly to be created and it is capable of being boarded on vehiclesthat can be moved to the site of the contamination. It also offersgreater reliability by avoiding the use of a mechanical element prone tobreakdowns, such as a pumping system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention considers that the term “liquid” encompassesliquids the components of which are completely dissolved, but alsoliquids with only partially dissolved solutes as well as suspensions.

For reasons of economy, in all the embodiments of the present invention,it is preferable that the compressed gas be air.

The notations “first”, “second”, third”, “fourth”, “fifth”, etc. areused throughout this document to refer to some of the elements of theinvention. For example, reference is made to a “first valve”, a “secondvalve”, etc. This notation does not imply any order or prevalence and isused exclusively to unequivocally label an element, and thus distinguishit from other similar elements. This notation, as described below in thedifferent embodiments and examples, enables there to be differentcombinations of similar elements, regardless of the nomenclature used.For example, one embodiment may include a first valve and a third valvewithout the need to have a second valve in said embodiment.

The present invention is described below making reference to the figuresof the invention by means of examples of specific non-limitingembodiments.

According to an embodiment (see FIG. 3 ), the system of the inventioncomprises one or a plurality of compressors (1) that supply a firstcompressed gas, preferably compressed air, to gas accumulation means(2), which in turn supplies the compressed gas in a stable manner to afirst pressure-regulating valve (3) and to a second pressure-regulatingvalve (4). Said first pressure-regulating valve (3) supplies thecompressed gas to a first pressurized tank (5), preferably through theupper part thereof. The pressurized liquid is expelled from the firstpressurized tank (5) towards the nebulizing means (8) through the firstvalve (6). The second pressure-regulating valve (4), according to thepresent invention, is in fluid communication with said nebulizing means(8), preferably through a third valve located in series with said secondpressure-regulating valve (4), and is configured to pressurize the gasat a second pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. A secondvalve (13) is located between the first pressure-regulating valve (3)and the first pressurized tank (5), which enables the passage of thefirst gas, as well as first non-return means (14), to be opened andclosed. Thus, closing the first valve (6) and the second valve (13)enables isolating the first pressurized tank during the feeding of thefirst liquid. Similarly, a third valve (7) is located between the secondpressure-regulating valve (4) and the nebulizing means (8), whichenables the passage of the first gas, as well as second non-return means(15), to be opened and closed.

The compression means (1) may encompass one or more compressorsaccording to any of the embodiments of the invention. It is a designcharacteristic that the person skilled in the art can adjust accordingto the characteristics of the available compressors and the needs of thesystem (power, size, etc.).

The first pressurized tank (5) is preferably characterized for havingfeeding means of the first liquid such that the air supplied by thefirst pressure-regulating valve (3) enters through the upper part ofsaid tank and pushes the first liquid making it flow towards thenebulizing means (8). Thus, it is preferable that, in any of theembodiments of the present invention, the first inlet means (31) of thefirst gas be located in the first pressurized tank (5) at a height thatis higher than the first outlet means (30).

Said nebulizing means are preferably of the type described in Europeanapplication EP17382233.9, the contents of which are included in theirentirety as a reference. Therefore, preferably, said nozzle combines twoor more substances introduced through at least a first inlet and asecond inlet and sprays the resulting atomized droplets through anoutlet, capable of optimizing the flow rate and the size of the dropletsthrough a modular design based on exchangeable disc-shaped modules. Whenthey are stacked in a hollow cylindrical casing made up of a firstcasing and a second casing, the plurality of modules make up a firstmixing chamber and a second mixing chamber connected through a spiralmodule. Furthermore, when said stacking occurs, the first inlet isconnected to the first mixing chamber, the outlet is connected to thesecond mixing chamber, and the second outlet may be connected to thefirst mixing chamber or to the second mixing chamber depending on theconfiguration selected by the user.

With reference to FIG. 6 , it is preferable that the feeding meanscomprise a first feed valve (9) and a first evacuation valve (12).Preferably, said first feed valve (9) is connected to the lower part ofthe first pressurized tank. This configuration makes it possible to fillthe first pressurized tank (5) by opening the supply of the firstliquid, for example, by using a pump (10) from a tank of the firstliquid (11), or alternatively, from a supply line of the first liquid,such as, for example, a drinking water hose from a sanitary waternetwork (not shown in the figure). Opening the evacuation valve (12),preferably connected to the upper part of the first pressurized tank(5), allows outlet of the gas during filling, thus relaxing the pressurenecessary for the supply of the first liquid. In an advantageousembodiment, the system is provided with a second valve (13) locatedbetween the first pressure-regulating valve (3) and the firstpressurized tank (5). Closing this second valve (13) allows the firstpressurized tank (5) to be made independent during the filling process.Once the filling is complete, the first feed valve (9) and the firstevacuation valve (12) are closed, while the second valve (13) is opened,thus pressurizing the first pressurized tank (5) and leaving it readyfor actuation by opening the first valve (6).

Preferably, any of the embodiments of the invention comprise firstnon-return means (14) in series with the first pressure-regulating valve(3), preferably at the outlet of the second valve (13), and/or secondnon-return means (15) in series with the second pressure-regulatingvalve (4), preferably at the outlet of the third valve (7). Thesenon-return devices prevent backflow from occurring at all times, thisbeing especially important during system connection and disconnection,when there may be liquid pressure but not air pressure.

Preferably, the system can also be provided with elements thatfacilitate the actuation and control thereof. Thus, for example, thesystem of the invention may comprise first remote actuation means (18)in series with the first pressure-regulating valve (3), and/or secondremote actuation means (16) in series with the secondpressure-regulating valve (4), this actuation being, for example, butnot exclusively, electric. Moreover, the system of the invention maycomprise first means for measuring the flow rate (19), in series withthe first pressure-regulating valve (3), and second means for measuringthe flow rate (17), in series with the second pressure-regulating valve(4). In this way, by keeping the first valve (6) and/or the third valve(7) open, the system will activate when opening the first remoteactuation means (18) and the second remote actuation means (16). Thefirst remote actuation means (18) and the second remote actuation means(16) may be individual units, for example, solenoid valves, or they maybe integrated with the first pressure-regulating valve (3) and thesecond pressure-regulating valve (4), respectively.

The system of the invention can therefore provide at least one gas andat least one liquid to the nebulizing means (8). By way of example, asystem according to the present invention is described below, in whichthe nebulizing mixture also includes a second liquid (see FIG. 4 ).According to this embodiment, the system includes a thirdpressure-regulating valve (23) in fluid communication with the secondpressure-regulating valve (4). The third pressure-regulating valve (23)is in fluid communication with a second pressurized tank (20) throughsecond inlet means (33) of said first gas, the second pressurized tank(20) being configured to contain a second liquid, and comprising secondoutlet means (34) of said second liquid towards the nebulizing means(8), through a fourth valve (21), at a third pressure that is higherthan atmospheric pressure. In this configuration, the system maycomprise a fifth valve (24) that enables the flow of the first gastowards the nebulizing means (8) to be selectively interrupted.Alternatively, the second pressurized tank (20) may have filling meansthat enable it to be filled with the second liquid, which may be asuspension. Said second pressurized tank (20) may comprise secondfeeding means of the second liquid, which provide the second liquid,while the third pressure-regulating valve (23) interrupts the passage ofthe pressurized gas when it is closed.

Given that on occasions the second liquid must be applied only for ashort time and in relatively small quantities, for example, if itcontains substances having catalytic properties, the second pressurizedtank (20) may be sufficiently small so that, together with thenebulizing means (8), and the valves (21), (23) and (24), they can makeup an assembly capable of being transported by a man or a crane,provided that the pipes supplying the second liquid and the compressedgas are flexible. Said configuration may even comprise the first valve(6), provided that the means for supplying the first liquid from thefirst pressurized tank (5) are flexible.

Another embodiment of the present invention is described with referenceto FIG. 5 . According to this embodiment, the system comprisespressurizing means (1) of the first gas, which are in fluidcommunication with the gas accumulation means (2), from where the firstgas is distributed at stable pressure to the first pressure-regulatingvalve (3) and to the second pressure-regulating valve (4), the firstpressure-regulating valve (3) being in fluid communication with a firstpressurized tank (5) through first inlet means (31) of said first gas,the first pressurized tank (5) being configured for containing the firstliquid, and comprising first outlet means (30) of said first liquidtowards the nebulizing means (8) through a first valve (6), at a firstpressure that is higher than atmospheric pressure. According to thisembodiment, a second valve (13) and first non-return means (14) areplaced between the first pressure-regulating valve (3) and the firstpressurized tank (5). Moreover, the first remote actuation means (18),as well as first means for measuring the flow rate (19), are locatedbetween the first valve (6) and the first pressurized tank (5). Thefirst inlet means (31) of said first gas are located at a height that ishigher than the first outlet means (30).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5 , the compressed gas line comprisessimilar equipment. Thus, in line with the second pressure-regulatingvalve (4), second remote actuation means (16), second means formeasuring the flow rate (17) and a third valve (7) are located such thatthe pressure of the gas fed to the nebulizing means (8) is a secondpressure that is higher than atmospheric pressure. Second non-returnmeans (15) are located at the outlet of the third valve (7).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 also shows a circuit for feeding a secondliquid to the nebulizing means (8), including a thirdpressure-regulating valve (23) in fluid communication with the secondpressure-regulating valve (4). The third pressure-regulating valve (23)is also in fluid communication with a second pressurized tank (20)through second inlet means (33) of said first gas, the secondpressurized tank (20) being configured to contain a second liquid, andcomprising second outlet means (34) of said second liquid towards thenebulizing means (8), through a fourth valve (21), at a third pressurethat is higher than atmospheric pressure. In this configuration, thesystem may comprise a fifth valve (24) that enables the flow of thefirst gas towards the nebulizing means (8) to be selectivelyinterrupted. Alternatively, the second pressurized tank (20) may havefilling means that enable it to be filled with the second liquid, whichmay be a suspension. Said second pressurized tank (20) may comprisesecond feeding means of the second liquid, which provide the secondliquid, while the third pressure-regulating valve (23) interrupts thepassage of the pressurized gas when it is closed.

Note that regardless of the number of gases and liquids for which it isconfigured, the system of the invention allows one or more of theseelements of the mixture to be blocked as long as at least one gas and atleast one liquid are fed to the nebulizing means (8). For example, inthe event that the system is configured to provide a first liquid, asecond liquid and a first gas (for example the systems described in FIG.4 or 5 ) it is possible to block the supply of the second liquid so thatthe mixture fed to the nebulizing means (8) is exclusively comprised ofthe first liquid and the first gas.

The inlet and outlet means in the present invention are preferablyopenings in the corresponding tank.

APPLICATIONS

As mentioned above, the present invention describes a system for washingand decontaminating air, gases, ducts and/or surfaces by means of jetsof pressurized mist. The system preferably comprises a plurality ofnebulizing means (8), preferably nozzles. However, the system may alsohave other uses. For example, parallel connection of a plurality ofnozzles can produce a mist jet barrier. Other geometries in thedistribution of the nozzles can enable the air contained in an entireenclosure to be washed.

Another non-exclusive alternative consists in introducing the nebulizingmeans (8) into a wider duct (25), for example a tubular duct as shown inFIG. 7 , such that, through the Venturi effect, it sucks air from theback and propels it, along with the released mist, through the ductwhile cleaning it. This alternative is very useful for all kinds ofventilation ducts, for example, for a clean air supply or gas scrubbingsystem characterized by a nozzle that provides a jet of pressurized mistin a duct in the direction of forward flow.

In a non-exclusive alternative configuration, the system has a wall,preferably vertical, and at a certain distance from the nozzle, forcollecting waste through the impact of the jet against the same.

In short, the system of the invention enables the cleaning of airindoors, outdoors, in ventilation or gas ducts, chimneys etc. with asmall amount of liquid.

CLAUSES

CLAUSE 1: A washing and decontaminating system comprising nebulizingmeans (8) for a mixture of at least one first gas and at least one firstliquid, and pressurizing means (1) of said first gas, wherein saidpressurizing means (1) are in fluid communication with a firstpressure-regulating valve (3) and with a second pressure-regulatingvalve (4),

the first pressure-regulating valve (3) being in fluid communicationwith a first pressurized tank (5) through first inlet means (31) of saidfirst gas, the first pressured tank (5) being configured to contain thefirst liquid, and comprising first outlet means (30) of said firstliquid to the nebulizing means (8) through a first valve (6), at a firstpressure that is higher than atmospheric pressure,

and wherein the second pressure-regulating valve (4) is in fluidcommunication with said nebulizing means (8), and is configured topressurize the gas at a second pressure that is greater than atmosphericpressure.

CLAUSE 2: The system according to clause 1, characterized in that saidfirst inlet means (31) of the first gas are located in the firstpressurized tank (5) at a height that is higher than the first outletmeans (30).

CLAUSE 3: The system according to any one of the preceding clauses,characterized in that it comprises gas accumulation means (2) locatedbetween

-   -   the pressurizing means (1) of the first gas, and    -   the first pressure-regulating valve (3) and the second        pressure-regulating valve (4).

CLAUSE 4: The system according to any one of the preceding clauses,characterized in that the first pressurized tank (5) comprises means forfeeding said first liquid.

CLAUSE 5: The system according to any one of the preceding clauses,characterized in that it comprises a second valve (13) located betweenthe first pressure-regulating valve (3) and the first pressurized tank(5).

CLAUSE 6: The system according to any one of the preceding clauses,characterized in that it comprises a third valve (7) located between thesecond pressure-regulating valve (4) and the nebulizing means (8).

CLAUSE 7: The system according to any one of the preceding clauses,characterized in that it comprises first remote actuating means (18) inseries with the first pressure-regulating valve (3).

CLAUSE 8: The system according to any one of the preceding clauses,characterized in that it comprises second remote actuating means (16) inseries with the second pressure-regulating valve (4).

CLAUSE 9: The system according to any one of the preceding clauses,characterized in that the first pressurized tank (5) comprises firstfeeding means of said first liquid.

CLAUSE 10: The system according to clause 9, characterized in that saidfirst feeding means comprise a first feed valve (9) and a firstevacuation valve (12).

CLAUSE 11: The system according to any one of the preceding clauses,characterized in that it comprises first non-return means (14) in serieswith the first pressure-regulating valve (3).

CLAUSE 12: The system according to any one of the preceding clauses,characterized in that it comprises second non-return means (15) inseries with the second pressure-regulating valve (4).

CLAUSE 13: The system according to any one of the preceding clauses,characterized in that it comprises a third pressure-regulating valve(23) connected in series with the second pressure-regulating valve (4).

CLAUSE 14: The system according to clause 13, characterized in that thethird pressure-regulating valve (23) is in fluid communication with asecond pressurized tank (20) through second inlet means (33) of saidfirst gas, the second pressurized tank (20) being configured to containa second liquid, and comprising second outlet means (34) of said secondliquid towards the nebulizing means (8), through a fourth valve (21), ata third pressure that is higher than atmospheric pressure.

CLAUSE 15: The system according to any one of clauses 13 or 14,characterized in that before the third pressure-regulating valve (23) itcomprises a fifth valve (24) that enables the flow of the first gastowards the nebulizing means (8) to be selectively interrupted.

CLAUSE 16: The system according to any one of clauses 14 or 15,characterized in that the second pressurized tank (20) comprises secondmeans for feeding the second liquid.

CLAUSE 17: The system according to any one of the preceding clauses,characterized in that it comprises first means for measuring the flowrate (19), in series with the first pressure-regulating valve (3), andsecond means for measuring the flow rate (17), in series with the secondpressure-regulating valve (4).

CLAUSE 18: The system according to any one of the preceding clauses,characterized in that it has a pressure of between 8 bar and 20 bar.

CLAUSE 19: A method for washing and decontaminating, which comprisespressurizing a first gas by means of pressurizing means (1), which arein fluid communication with a first pressure-regulating valve (3) andwith a second pressure-regulating valve (4), such that

-   -   the first pressure-regulating valve (3) regulates the pressure        of the first gas in a first pressurized tank (5) configured to        contain a first liquid and comprising first outlet means (30)        and first inlet means (31), such that said first liquid is in        turn in fluid communication with nebulizing means (8) through a        first valve (6), the first liquid being at a first pressure that        is greater than atmospheric pressure,    -   and wherein the second pressure-regulating valve (4) regulates        the pressure at which the first gas is fed to said nebulizing        means (8), said first gas being at a second pressure that is        greater than atmospheric pressure.

The research work leading to this invention was partially funded by theSeventh Framework Program of the European Union under contract number312804.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A washing and decontaminating systemcomprising: a nebulizer having a first inlet for receiving a first gasand a second inlet for receiving a first liquid; a firstpressure-regulating valve located downstream and in fluid communicationwith a pressurizing means, the first pressure-regulating valve beingconfigured to regulate the first gas at a first pressure greater thanatmospheric pressure; a second pressure-regulating valve in fluidcommunication with the pressurizing means and with the first inlet ofthe nebulizer, the second pressure-regulating valve being configured toregulate the first gas at a second pressure greater than atmosphericpressure, the second pressure-regulating valve not being in series withthe first pressure-regulating valve; a first tank configured to storethe first liquid and to be pressurized by the first gas at the firstpressure, the first tank having a first inlet in fluid communicationwith the first pressure-regulating valve and a first outlet throughwhich the first liquid exits the first tank, the first outlet being influid communication with the nebulizer; a first valve located in a fluidpathway between the first outlet of the first tank and the second inletof the nebulizer, the first valve configured to assume a closed positionin which the first liquid is prevented from passing through the firstvalve and an open position in which the first liquid is able to passthrough the first valve; a second valve located between and in fluidcommunication with the first pressure-regulating valve and the firsttank, the second valve configured to assume a closed position in whichthe first gas is prevented from passing through the second valve and anopen position in which the first gas is able to pass through the secondvalve; the washing and decontaminating system being configured such thatupon the first liquid residing in the first tank and the first gas atthe first pressure being delivered to the first tank, the first liquidis capable of being delivered to the nebulizer for being mixed with thefirst gas without the use of a pump; the nebulizer being configured tomix the first gas delivered through the second pressure-regulating valvewith the first liquid; a first flow rate measuring device located in aflow path between the first outlet of the first tank and the secondinlet of the nebulizer, the first flow rate measuring device beingconfigured to measure a flow rate of the first liquid, and a second flowrate measuring device located between the second pressure-regulatingvalve and the first inlet of the nebulizer, the second flow ratemeasuring device being configured to measure a flow rate of the firstgas.
 2. The washing and decontaminating system according to claim 1,wherein the first inlet of the first tank is located at a first heightand the first outlet of the first tank is located at a second height,the first height being higher than the second height.
 3. The washing anddecontaminating system according to claim 1, further comprising gasaccumulation means located between and in fluid communication with thepressurizing means of the first gas and the first and secondpressure-regulating valves when the nebulizer is in use mixing the firstgas with the first liquid, the gas accumulation means configured tosupply the first gas produced by the pressurizing means in a stablemanner to the first and second pressure-regulating valves.
 4. Thewashing and decontaminating system according to claim 1, wherein thefirst tank includes a second inlet through which the first liquid isintroduced into the first tank.
 5. The washing and decontaminatingsystem according to claim 4, further comprising a first feed valve influid communication with the second inlet of the first tank and a firstevacuation valve in fluid communication with a second outlet of thefirst tank.
 6. The washing and decontaminating system according to claim1, further comprising a third valve located between the secondpressure-regulating valve and the nebulizer, the third valve configuredto assume a closed position in which the first gas is prevented frompassing through the third valve and an open position in which the firstgas is able to pass through the third valve.
 7. The washing anddecontaminating system according to claim 1, further comprising a secondremote actuation means in series with the second pressure-regulatingvalve.
 8. The washing and decontaminating system according to claim 1,further comprising a first non-return device in series with the firstpressure-regulating valve, the first non-return device being configuredto prevent at all times backflow of the first liquid towards thepressurizing means of the first gas.
 9. The washing and decontaminatingsystem according to claim 1, further comprising a second non-returndevice in series with the second pressure-regulating valve, the secondnon-return device being configured to prevent at all times backflow ofthe first liquid towards the pressurizing means of the first gas. 10.The washing and decontaminating system according to claim 1, furthercomprising a third pressure-regulating valve connected in series withthe second pressure-regulating valve, the third pressure-regulatingvalve configured to regulate the first gas at a third pressure that isgreater than atmospheric pressure.
 11. The washing and decontaminatingsystem according to claim 10, further comprising a second tankconfigured to store a second liquid, the second tank having a firstinlet in fluid communication with the third pressure-regulating valveand a first outlet through which the second liquid exits the secondtank, the first outlet of the second tank being in fluid communicationwith a third inlet of the nebulizer, the washing and decontaminatingsystem further comprising a fourth valve located in a fluid pathwaybetween the first outlet of the second tank and the third inlet of thenebulizer.
 12. The washing and decontaminating system according to claim11, wherein the second tank includes a second inlet through which thesecond liquid is introduced into the second tank.
 13. The washing anddecontaminating system according to claim 10, further comprising a fifthvalve located upstream the third pressure-regulating valve that enablesthe flow of the first gas towards the nebulizer to be selectivelyinterrupted.
 14. A washing and decontaminating system comprising: anebulizer having a first inlet for receiving a first gas and a secondinlet for receiving a first liquid; a first pressure-regulating valvelocated downstream and in fluid communication with a pressurizing means,the first pressure-regulating valve being configured to regulate thefirst gas at a first pressure; a second pressure-regulating valve influid communication with the pressurizing means and with the first inletof the nebulizer, the second pressure-regulating valve being configuredto regulate the first gas at a second pressure, the secondpressure-regulating valve not being in series with the firstpressure-regulating valve; a third pressure-regulating valve connectedin series with the second pressure-regulating valve, the thirdpressure-regulating valve configured to regulate the first gas at athird pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure; a first tankconfigured to store the first liquid and to be pressurized by the firstgas at the first pressure, the first tank having a first inlet in fluidcommunication with the first pressure-regulating valve and a firstoutlet through which the first liquid exits the first tank, the firstoutlet being in fluid communication with the nebulizer; a second tankconfigured to store a second liquid, the second tank having a firstinlet in fluid communication with the third pressure-regulating valveand a first outlet through which the second liquid exits the secondtank, the first outlet of the second tank being in fluid communicationwith a third inlet of the nebulizer, the washing and decontaminatingsystem further comprising a fourth valve located in a fluid pathwaybetween the first outlet of the second tank and the third inlet of thenebulizer; and a first valve located in a fluid pathway between thefirst outlet of the first tank and the second inlet of the nebulizer,the first valve configured to assume a closed position in which thefirst liquid is prevented from passing through the first valve and anopen position in which the first liquid is able to pass through thefirst valve; the washing and decontaminating system being configuredsuch that upon the first liquid residing in the first tank and the firstgas at the first pressure being delivered to the first tank, the firstliquid is capable of being delivered to the nebulizer for being mixedwith the first gas without the use of a pump; the nebulizer beingconfigured to mix the first gas delivered through the secondpressure-regulating valve with the first liquid.
 15. The washing anddecontaminating system according to claim 14, further comprising a fifthvalve located upstream the third pressure-regulating valve that enablesthe flow of the first gas towards the nebulizer to be selectivelyinterrupted.
 16. The washing and decontaminating system according toclaim 14, wherein the second tank includes a second inlet through whichthe second liquid is introduced into the second tank.
 17. A washing anddecontaminating system comprising: a nebulizer having a first inlet forreceiving a first gas and a second inlet for receiving a first liquid; afirst pressure-regulating valve located downstream and in fluidcommunication with a pressurizing means, the first pressure-regulatingvalve being configured to regulate the first gas at a first pressuregreater than atmospheric pressure; a second pressure-regulating valve influid communication with the pressurizing means and with the first inletof the nebulizer, the second pressure-regulating valve being configuredto regulate the first gas at a second pressure greater than atmosphericpressure, the second pressure-regulating valve not being in series withthe first pressure-regulating valve; a first tank configured to storethe first liquid and to be pressurized by the first gas at the firstpressure, the first tank having a first inlet in fluid communicationwith the first pressure-regulating valve and a first outlet throughwhich the first liquid exits the first tank, the first outlet being influid communication with the nebulizer; a first valve located in a fluidpathway between the first outlet of the first tank and the second inletof the nebulizer, the first valve configured to assume a closed positionin which the first liquid is prevented from passing through the firstvalve and an open position in which the first liquid is able to passthrough the first valve; a second valve located between and in fluidcommunication with the first pressure-regulating valve and the firsttank, the second valve configured to assume a closed position in whichthe first gas is prevented from passing through the second valve and anopen position in which the first gas is able to pass through the secondvalve; the washing and decontaminating system being configured such thatupon the first liquid residing in the first tank and the first gas atthe first pressure being delivered to the first tank, the first liquidis capable of being delivered to the nebulizer for being mixed with thefirst gas without the use of a pump; the nebulizer being configured tomix the first gas delivered through the second pressure-regulating valvewith the first liquid; a third pressure-regulating valve connected inseries with the second pressure-regulating valve, the thirdpressure-regulating valve configured to regulate the first gas at athird pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure; and a fifthvalve located upstream the third pressure-regulating valve that enablesthe flow of the first gas towards the nebulizer to be selectivelyinterrupted.